Legends of Runeterra

"Is this the story you're going to use to get by?" Ariel asked.

Teneff remained unmoved. "That's the truth."

"Well," Ariel said, "it seems you and the swordsman are more than enough."

Erath looked at the Stalker and realized something. "You are not going with us."

"This matter was important," Ariel shook her head, handing the fragments of Riven's broken sword to Teneff, "but it is done, and I can better serve Noxus alone."

Teneff slowly extended a hand, "See you next time, sister."

Ariel looked at her hand for a moment, then took it, and they locked wrists. "See you next time," she gestured, and several hounds jumped up to her side and began to leave the farm along the dirt road.

"Then, it's just the two of us." Eras said as he watched Ariel's gradually disappearing back.

"You don't have to come," said Teneff.

Erath looked at her, at Riven, bewildered.

"The duty is mine now," she said. "My quest is over—but not yours." She nodded at Miss Henrietta. "Go. Find your betrayer."

At first, Erath was speechless. After seeing Riven's power, he didn't want to let Teneff watch over her alone, but in his heart he knew it was the right thing to do. And she was right; he had unfinished business in this land.

Erath stood at attention and proudly punched his chest. "For Noxus."

Teneff returned the salute. "For Noxus."

Eras helped Tenev wrap her body in Marit's family banner, then loaded her onto Talz's back and finally took the supplies he needed. "Grow up and fatten up, Talz," he patted Talz's cheek, "and take good care of her along the way."

The dragon lizard shook its head with such glee that it nearly knocked Erath over. He smiled, then felt sand in his eyes. He turned his head, wiped a tear with his thumb, and turned back to Miss Henrietta.

He edged closer to her, remembering every person Miss Henrietta had killed, every cry of a reptile, every death cry of her prey, every time he had cleaned her jewelry. He hummed softly as he approached, reaching out and gently caressing her coat. She flinched, but didn't flinch. Eras saw this and tried to grab her reins. A moment later, Eras was in the saddle behind Miss Henrietta.

She accepted him.

Riven and Teneff watched Erath ride off, disappearing down the road. Riven's shackles rattled, and she realized this was the second time she'd been chained off the farm. She remembered the feeling from last time—the fear, the panic, and she let it rise and fall. This time was different. The man was different this time, and she was different this time, too.

Teneff turned to Raven. "You are my prisoner, but you are also my sister. I will treat you with the respect you deserve. Are you ready?"

Riven breathed a sigh of relief, took one last look at Asa and the home she would never return to, and nodded, "Alright."

"Okay." Teneff helped Riven ride on Talz's back and looked at the long road ahead. "Let's go to Noxus."

Erath rode through the night. He had traversed countless perils on foot in his quest for Riven, and the feeling of speeding along on Miss Henrietta's back was a delight. If his destination were elsewhere, he would have completely reveled in the joy of riding. But his heart was heavy, like a weight on his chest. The destination drew closer and closer, and in the blink of an eye, it was there.

The natural barrier did not open for him. Erath drew his scimitar and struck his armor with the side.

"I am Jobim's son!" cried Erath. "Let him come out, or make way for me, that I may go in and find him."

After a moment of silent waiting, the barrier opened up to both sides, leaving a path wide enough for him to ride in. He rode into the village, feeling the fearful gazes of the Ionians and the disdain of the Noxians.

"Jobin!" Erath shouted. "Father, come out!"

"Be patient!" An old man emerged from the crowd. Erath recognized him; he was the guard at the Alchemical Weapon Battlefield. "Be patient, my child. I will take you to see him."

Eras exhaled, sheathed his sword, and dismounted from Lady Henrietta. The old man led Eras to Jobim's hut, and the two entered. The Ionian villagers gathered around Henrietta, keeping a distance and chanting soothing melodies. Henrietta spat at them.

The hut was dark. The Ionian had lit a few candles, which provided enough light for Erath to see the figure covered by a cloth in the center of the room.

"Your father," said the old man.

Erath gasped. He fell to his knees, trying to control his shaking hands. He pulled back the sheet, revealing his father's pale, cold face. It was covered in cuts and bruises, drained of its color.

"Why did you come back?" the Ionian old man asked him.

"I returned," Erath's voice trembled, "to have him tell me why he betrayed me and my companions to the Brotherhood."

"Betrayed?" Sadness crossed the old man's face. "My child, he didn't betray you."

Erath's eyes fell on the wounds, carefully examining every bruise and tear.

"Not long after you left, the Brotherhood arrived," the Ionian elder said. "They demanded we know where you were. He refused, and for his resistance, he was tortured. They took his life."

Erath barely heard what he said. He felt a lump in his throat, a chorus of emotions. This journey had first kept him from fighting for his tribe, then, through hardships, found his place among strangers, discovered with them their shattered kinship, watched them torn apart and mended again.

He touched his father's face. A tear fell, touching Jobin's cheek. The weight on Erath's chest lifted, the stone melting in a warm current.

"You can stay," the old man said tentatively. "Jobin's son is welcome here. You can wait for the next Spirit Blossom Festival."

"No," Erath shook his head. "His soul is no longer attached to me."

The old Ionian man took a step back and lowered his head in understanding.

"Please help me wrap him up," Erath said, grabbing the sheet. "I'll take him away."

"Where are you taking him?" the old man asked.

Erath looked at the Ionian, smiled, and said, "Go home."